Accessibility links
Leila Fadel Leila Fadel is a host of Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.
Leila Fadel, photographed for NPR, 2 May 2022, in Washington DC. Photo by Mike Morgan for NPR.
Stories By

Leila Fadel

Friday

Politics

Former President Donald Trump's legal and political calendars are filling up

Trump dominated recent headlines: avoiding the GOP debate, having a high-profile interview on social media site X — then was booked for charges related to the 2020 election, complete with mug shot.

Former President Donald Trump's legal and political calendars are filling up

Listen · 3:42
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1195858196/1195858197" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Africa

Examining the future of the Wagner Group in Africa

What will the reported death of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's mean for the Wagner operation in Africa, and the countries on that continent where they operate?

Examining the future of the Wagner Group in Africa

Listen · 4:01
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1195858252/1195858253" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Politics

The first GOP debate yielded heated exchanges, comedy and even a dash of policy

Eight Republican candidates stood on stage in Milwaukee with the goal of becoming their party's presidential nominee. But the front-runner — former President Donald Trump — was missing.

The first GOP debate yielded heated exchanges, comedy and even a dash of policy

Listen · 6:15
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1195579704/1195579705" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

More than 2 weeks after Maui fires, families are desperate to learn relatives' fate

The search continues for over 1,000 people who are still unaccounted for after the wildfires on Maui. Family members say they are feeling frustrated with the chaotic process.

More than 2 weeks after Maui fires, families are desperate to learn relatives' fate

Listen · 3:56
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1195579662/1195579663" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Morning news brief

GOP presidential contenders met on the debate stage. Donald Trump is expected in Georgia to answer election meddling charges. Head of the Wagner mercenary force is reported dead in a plane crash.

Morning news brief

Listen · 11:06
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1195579620/1195588563" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Politics

Biden will be talking to his counterparts from Japan and South Korea at Camp David

For the first time since 2015, foreign leaders have been invited to the presidential retreat. Biden wants to strengthen ties with both countries as part of a broader push to counter China's influence.

Biden will be talking to his counterparts from Japan and South Korea at Camp David

Listen · 5:59
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194562258/1194562259" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Asia

Morning news brief

President Biden is using Camp David to elevate a summit with Japan and South Korea. Wildfires in Canada force all 20,000 Yellowknife residents to flee. Ecuador elects a new president on Sunday.

Morning news brief

Listen · 11:12
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194562251/1194572068" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Politics

Schumer touts Inflation Reduction Act as a way for Democrats to win voters

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is using the Inflation Reduction Act as a key message for Democrats in 2024. He says it will frame the choice for voters between Republicans and Democrats.

Schumer touts Inflation Reduction Act as a way for Democrats to win voters

Listen · 3:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194349583/1194349584" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. says Trump's 4th indictment is a 'pivot point' for the GOP

Geoff Duncan, former Georgia lieutenant governor, walks outside the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Monday. Ben Hendren/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Ben Hendren/Getty Images

Politics

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. says Trump's 4th indictment is a 'pivot point' for the GOP

Geoff Duncan, former lieutenant governor of Georgia, says Donald Trump was "one of the biggest mistakes the country has made."

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. says Trump's 4th indictment is a 'pivot point' for the GOP

Listen · 6:34
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194115160/1194115161" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Investigations

NPR investigation reveals significant failures at immigrant detention facilities

NPR obtained confidential files from the U.S. government which reveal "barbaric" and "negligent" treatment at ICE detention centers.

NPR investigation reveals significant failures at immigrant detention facilities

Listen · 7:28
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194115251/1194115252" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Morning news brief

Why Trump indictments haven't moved the needle with Republicans. Coup leaders in Niger try to solidify their hold on power. Government experts found "barbaric" conditions in ICE detention facilities.

Morning news brief

Listen · 11:17
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194115153/1194115154" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Law

Why Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis chose RICO to indict Trump

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her team have structured a 41 count indictment against Trump and 18 advisers. Legal expert Stephen Gillers explains why Willis has taken this approach.

Why Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis chose RICO to indict Trump

Listen · 3:42
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193875137/1193876858" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Pidgeon Pagonis reveals a long held secret in 'Nobody Needs to Know'

Author Pidgeon Pagonis was raised a girl but was born with both female and male sexual organs. They tell their story of discovering who they really in a memoir released August 15, 2023. Sarah Joyce/Courtesy of TOPPLE/Little A hide caption

toggle caption
Sarah Joyce/Courtesy of TOPPLE/Little A

Author Interviews

Pidgeon Pagonis reveals a long held secret in 'Nobody Needs to Know'

Author Pidgeon Pagonis discovered the truth about their gender identity when they were in college. Now they tell their story hoping to help others.

Pidgeon Pagonis reveals a long held secret in 'Nobody Needs to Know'

Listen · 7:02
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193862556/1193862557" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Health

COVID cases are rising this summer. Fall boosters are just around the corner

Hospitalizations are up, as are signs of COVID in waste water. New fall boosters may help, but it's unclear how effective they'll be against the latest variant.

COVID cases are rising this summer. Fall boosters are just around the corner

Listen · 6:28
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193693791/1193693792" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Georgia prosecutors are gearing up for the Trump election interference case

Georgia Public Broadcasting

On Monday a grand jury in Atlanta is expected to begin hearing a closed-door presentation of a case stemming from a failed effort to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election.

Georgia prosecutors are gearing up for the Trump election interference case

Listen · 3:39
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1193693777/1193693778" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript